WAREHAM GATEMEN: Gatemen continue to struggle as they try to solidify starting rotation

WAREHAM – Manager Cooper Farris says his Wareham Gatemen have been in “scramble mode” since the beginning of the Cape Cod Baseball League season.

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By Rob Duca

Wicked Local

By Rob Duca

Posted Jul. 4, 2014 at 8:00 AM

By Rob Duca
Posted Jul. 4, 2014 at 8:00 AM

» Social News

WAREHAM – Manager Cooper Farris says his Wareham Gatemen have been in “scramble mode” since the beginning of the Cape Cod Baseball League season.

After five starting pitchers failed to make it to the Cape because of injury or selection to Team USA, the Gatemen have struggled in the opening month of the schedule. They’ve had no trouble scoring runs, but preventing them with a hodge-podge of starters has been another issue.

“It was kind of hard. Everybody was gone,” Farris said. “It’s been a circus. Last year we had 11 players in the College World Series that we didn’t get until July, so we’ve had two rough years in a row as far as getting players here.

“It’s just been a mess and we have been behind the 8-ball. We’re trying to regroup and get some things done.”

After opening the year 4-11, the Gatemen have shown signs of life recently, winning two games last weekend, although they remained at the bottom of the West Division.

Kyle Cody (Kentucky) earned the win last Saturday against Falmouth, tossing seven shutout innings in a 4-0 victory. Equally critical was the Gatemen’s defense; for the first time in eight games they did not commit an error.

On Sunday they slipped past Cotuit 7-6 as Ryan Olsen (San Diego) pitched the final two innings to notch the save. Jake Little (Memphis) provided the big hit with his third home run of the season in a 2-for-3 night.

The arrival of left-hander Drew Harrington (Louisville) should help stabilize the Gatemen’s staff. In his first appearance on June 22, Harrington allowed only three hits and one run in five innings, while Scott Effross (Indiana) picked up the save in a 7-6 triumph over Chatham.

“Harrington pitched well, and Brock Hartson (Texas-San Antonio) has stepped up, although we weren’t planning on throwing him as much as we have,” Farris said. “Effross was going to be our closer, but we’ve been forced to use him more in long relief.”

Harrington has not allowed a run in two appearances spanning six innings, while Effross has fanned 11 in 10 innings with a 1.80 ERA. Anthony Kay (Connecticut) has posted a 2.07 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 13 innings. But overall, the Gatemen have the second-highest ERA in the league (4.40) and have allowed the second-most runs (88).

Conversely, the Gatemen lead the league in hitting at .279 and are fifth in runs scored. “We’re swinging the bats O.K.,” Farris said. “It always seems like we shoot ourselves in the foot, but I’m pleased with the way we’ve been hitting.”

Page 2 of 2 - Willie Calhoun (Arizona) is third in the league with a .371 average, with Charlie Warren (Rice) not far behind at .326. Keaton Aldridge (Memphis) leads the club with a .405 average, although he has only 37 plate appearances and does not yet qualify for the batting championship. Andrew Knizer (North Carolina State) has also hit well, averaging .281 with a team-leading 10 RBIs.

“The team spirit is still good,” Farris said. “We’re still here and we’re still playing hard. That’s all we can do.”